I have been busy at shows and working in the studio this past year. Already I have had a booth at Art 2009 at the Convention Centre in Toronto, at the London Home County Folk Festival, at the artisan’s village at Summerfolk, in Owen Sound. I was proud when my piece, Northumberland Autumn, won honourable mention in the juried competition there.
The chance to travel over the past few months has again provided inspiration for my artwork. I visited Savannah and took hundreds of photos of the ornate iron work, the charming parks and historic houses. The swirling lines of the ornate balconies and fences have inspired a new line of Christmas ornaments.
I spent time in Maryland and was inspired by: the green rolling hills around Baltimore; the profusion of flowering trees and bushes around the city; the gentle waves of Chesapeake Bay; the traditions and history of Annapolis; the wonder of the Japanese Cherry trees in full bloom in Washington DC. I was blessed to have a gloriously, sunny, day to view the trees in full bloom around the tidal basin.
I have been to Alberta several times this year. In fact, I am writing this in the new library in Grande Prairie. My sister, Kirsten, and her family recently moved to Cochrane, in foothills country where rolling hills dotted with cattle, the swiftly flowing Bow River, and the snow capped Rocky Mountains are the views they see every day. We had time for a lovely hike in Canmore on the Labour Day Weekend. Alberta has inspired a whole selection of new landscape pieces.
I am participating in three exciting art events before the end of the year. In October I will have pieces at the Sacred Objects Show and Sale at the Or Shalom Synagogue in London, Ontario. Thanksgiving I will be back at the beautiful Balls Falls Conservation Area for the Thanksgiving Festival, in Jordon Ontario. I will have a booth at the One of a Kind Show and Sale in Toronto, Ontario from December 1 – 6, 2009. Come to the booth for great new ornaments, miniature landscapes, painted wall art and of course new large glass art pieces. Click on to the coming events page for all the show information.
I have still found a bit of time to pursue other passions. Reading is top of my list. Belle Canto, by Ann Patchett, explores the power of music and the sources of talent, inspiration and artistic expression. I enjoyed reading several of her novels this year and reflecting on the complexity of human inspiration and interaction. Michael Gruber’s novel, The Forgery of Venus, was a great read and certainly captured the joys, sorrows and frustrations of being an artist in the world of commerce. The art therapist in me loved the age old exploration of the links between creativity, genius and madness. The creative process can be breathtaking, scary and unfathomable both to the artist as well as those surrounding them. Gruber’s The Book of Air and Shadows also explores these dynamics as well.
I loved the new Star Trek movie. It has just enough of the kitschy spirit of the original series, great effects and a story line that will revive a favourite franchise. Might even be as fun as that The Trouble with Tribbles episode! While Imagining Argentina was certainly more serious, dark and brilliant cinematic viewing.
My Garden has both benefited and suffered this summer. Between travel and terrible allergies, my trees and flowers were neglected and weeds flourished. However, as I took the train to Montreal, my brother-in-law, Greg, wielded his chain saw and manned the wood chipper getting the trees and shrubs into shape. I love my huge old Manitoba maples and the sumac across the river, however, they produce seeds prodigiously, which grow like mad. Keeping things wild yet leaving breathing space is a never ending job. Thankfully I have a generous person who really has a passion for tree trimming on my side! A lovely gift of a screened gazebo has been a wonderful addition to my deck providing shade in the heat of the day and respite from the mosquitoes in the evenings. Being home for most of the summer has been a wonderful and inspirational time for my glass work.
I look forward to seeing you at my booth at the art shows, in cyber space, or should chance or serendipity allow in Pefferlaw.
Ruth
Coming Soon: The creative process photos and descriptions of how the designs and glasss art is created.
Watch for photos and descriptions of new work in the coming months!
